Windsurfing palm harness

ABSTRACT

A harness for use in windsurfing which includes an adjustable wrist strap for securing the harness to the wrist of the wearer, a grip support which includes a rigid support structure which is curved for comfort and for securing the grip of a generally round or oval boom, and the grip support further including an adjustable finger securer. The rigid support structure is further curved for providing easy release of the boom, when necessary, by the lifting of the fingers being secured by the finger securer. The adjustable finger securer allows the wearer to extend the fingers being secured for resting the wearer&#39;s hands while still being in control of the boom. The harness transfers some or all of the force required to keep the boom engaged to the wears wrist, thereby enabling the wearer to participate in the sport for a longer period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The subject invention relates to a harness for use with a windsurfer and, more particularly, to a palm harness which aids in the gripping of the boom of a windsurfer.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In many sports activities, it is desirable for the participant to utilize specially designed gloves for aiding in gripping, reducing stresses, and protecting the participant's hands from undesirous effects from the sport, such as, blisters or calluses. This is especially true for sports which require gripping or holding an implement of the sport for extended periods of time. An example of this is U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,944 by Vranny. The '944 patent discloses a glove for use in a sport which requires swinging a sports implement which includes a palm strap extending across the palm portion of the glove which is attached to the glove by a first end at the wrist area and extends to a second end which includes two openings for inserting the wearer's fingers. A protrusion is attached transversely to the palm strap for wrapping around the implement of the sport. The combination of the palm strap and the protrusion is to transfer forces from swinging of the implement to the wrist of the wearer, and therefore, to allow the wearer to use less force in gripping the implement, thereby, helping to create a whipping action with the implement.

[0005] Another example of this type of invention, specifically for use in water sports, is U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,570 by Grover. The '570 patent discloses a glove for securing a grip around a roundish-like object, such as a waterskiing tow bar or a wind surfing boom. The gripping device is an elongated, flat, sliding, strap loop with a gripping section having an anchor at one end in the form of a wrist cinching strap. The front of the friction or gripping pad continues in a loop which lays back over the gripping pad and extends to the underside of the wrist and attaches to a plastic sleeve which snugly fits around the user's wrist to keep the top strap properly located above the grip strap. The strap is to transfer the forces required to secure the object to the wrist strap, thereby, transferring a portion of forces required to gripping the object.

[0006] Additionally, there are harness type attachment means which are used in conjunction with a shoulder brace. An example of this type of invention is U.S. Pat. No. No.4,745,870 by Roth. The '870 patent discloses a harness which includes a jacket and a pair of sleeves, either long or short. If short sleeves are used, the harness includes a plurality of forearm and wrist straps. If long sleeves are used, the generally same material as that used for the jacket is used. The jacket includes a cross shoulder brace for cradling the shoulders and upper back while windsurfing. The jacket further includes a pair of rear arm support braces for providing support to the rear arms of the windsurfer. The shoulder brace and the arm support braces may be sewn into the jacket. The arm support braces are attached to at least one boom hook strap that is interconnected to a boom hook. The boom hook is for removably attaching to a boom that controls the sail of the windsurfer. Therefore, the boom hook transfers the load of the sail through the boom hooks to the boom hook strap through the arm support braces and across the shoulder brace. This transfer of the load allows for the distribution of the load amongst the aforementioned sections.

[0007] However, the aforementioned gloves and harnesses each have inherent flaws with respect to use in a windsurfing application. The '944 patent is intended to be used in a sport which includes a swinging implement, such as golf, in which the protrusion acts as a guide and grip aid. In a windsurfing application, the glove would not engage the boom as required to relieve the stresses on the hand. The '570 patent shows an invention which essentially aids in gripping an object, but still requires much force to be exerted by the wearer to keep the gripping device in contact with the object, thereby still causing strain in the wearers forearms. The '870 patent shows an invention which requires the wearer to don a jacket and hook onto the boom of the windsurfer. This allows for the distribution of forces across the body, but may cause undue stress upon the shoulders of the wearer as the harness would pull the shoulders together causing an uncomfortable situation and extra strain along the back. The jacket is also more cumbersome for the wearer and impedes the motion the wearer desires to make. Furthermore, the boom hook is not connected to the wearer's hands, and therefore, may not be easily removed from the boom when a situation arises requiring fast disengagement from the boom.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a harness or glove which may be removably attached at the wrist of the wearer and which extends generally the length of the palm and curves for engaging the boom of the windsurfer at generally the finger area for distributing the forces required to hold onto the sail and transfers the forces to the wearer's forearm and is attached at the finger(s) of the wearer for quick and easy engagement and disengagement of the boom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a palm harness is provided for use in windsurfmg. The palm harness comprises a wrist strap extending between first and second ends interconnected and spaced apart by first and second sides and a grip support having a first end secured to said wrist strap, and a second distal end. The grip support includes a support structure defined by a generally J-shaped rigid insert extending at least partially between the first and second ends for removably engaging a generally cylindrical object and a finger securer positioned between the first and second ends for controlling movement of the grip support and providing easy disengagement of the harness from the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a windsurfer with an individual using the palm harness of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an individual wearing a windsurfing palm harness and showing the interaction between the harness and windsurfer boom;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the palm harness with the fingers engaged in the harness;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the palm harness with the fingers disengaged from the harness with a portion of the harness being secured by a securing tab;

[0015]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the palm harness in the expanded position;

[0016]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the palm harness interconnected to the boom of the windsurfer; and

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side view of the palm harness and multiple positions of the fingers engaged therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a palm harness is generally shown at 50 for use on a windsurfer 10. The windsurfer 10 is for providing wind-powered motion to an individual 12 while being on top of a body of water 14. The windsurfer 10 generally comprises a sailboard 16, a mast 20, a sail 30, and a boom 40. The sailboard 16 is comprised of a generally rectangular and generally planer member for supporting an individual 12 above water. The sailboard 16 is buoyant, that is, the sailboard 16 and the individual 12 together is lighter than the water displaced, and therefore, is able to support the individual 12 and the windsurfer 10 above the water 14. The sailboard 16 includes a swivel attachment (not shown) for pivotably coupling the sailboard 16 and the mast 20. The mast 20 provides vertical height and support to the sail 30. The sail 30 comprises a material for converting potential energy of the wind to generally forward, kinetic energy and is supported along the mast 20 for transferring the energy to the sailboard 16, and thus the individual 12 atop the sailboard 16. The boom 40 is removably attached to the mast 20 by a collar 42. The boom 40, when attached, is generally rigid and provides the individual 12 with the ability to maneuver the mast 20, and therefore the sail 30, for controlling the velocity and direction of the windsurfer 10. The individual 12 is therefore supported by grasping the boom 40 and balancing on the sailboard 16.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, the individual 12 may be aided in grasping the boom 40 by wearing the palm harness 50. The palm harness 50 is preferably made from a nylon or similar material that resists adverse effects of water, such as, shrinkage, mildew, and the like. The palm harness 50 includes a wrist strap 52 for securing the palm harness 50 to the lower arm or wrist area of an individual 12. Referring to FIG. 5, the wrist strap 52 comprises a first end 54 and a distal second end 56 interconnected and spaced apart by first and second sides 58, 60. The wrist strap 52 includes a turning loop 62 secured inward of the second end 56 such that the second end 56 extends beyond the turning loop 62 so that the turning loop 62 does not contact the individual 12, and thereby provides further comfort to the individual 12.

[0020] The turning loop 62 may be made from a rigid plastic, metal, or other suitable material. The turning loop 62 is generally oval, but may be of any such shape for permitting the first end 54 of the wrist strap 52 to be thread through and to be doubled back upon itself for allowing the wrist strap 52 to be adjusted to fit a myriad of arm sizes. The wrist strap 52 further includes a closure device 64, such as hook and loop material, for securing the wrist strap 52 to a lower arm once positioned through the turning loop 62 and adjusted for fit. The wrist strap 52 may further be covered with padding for further comfort to the individual without varying from the scope of the invention.

[0021] The wrist strap 52 also includes a securing tab 66. The securing tab 66 includes a portion of a closure device 68, such as, the hook portion of hook and loop material, one end of snap, or part of another suitable closure device, extending downwardly from the second side 60. The securing tab 66 will be discussed in further detail below.

[0022] The wrist strap 52 has a grip support 70 extending upwardly from the first side 58, generally opposite of the securing tab 66. The grip support 70 includes a first end 72 and a second distal end 74 interconnected and spaced apart by first and second sides 76, 78. The first end 72 is secured to the wrist strap 52. The second end 74 includes a preformed generally rigid and curved support structure 80 that extends from the second end 74 to a mid point of a wearer's palm and, therefore, at least partially between the first end 72 and the second end 74, defining a generally J-shaped insert. The rigid support structure 80 may be formed from metal, plastic, or other similar material that will provide the required rigidity and which may be fixedly secured to the grip support 70 by adhesive, threads, molding, or comparable attachment methods. The support structure 80 is shaped for providing a curved, comfortable resting place for at least one finger and is further curved for capturing the boom 40, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and allowing for easy unhooking of the palm harness 50 from the boom 40, as shown in FIG. 2, when the individual 12 desires. Referring to FIG. 4, the grip support 70 may be made of multiple layers of material having at least an inner layer 83 and an outer layer 84 which may be secured together to form a pocket 85 therebetween. If multiple layers are used, the rigid support structure 80 may be inserted between the inner layer 83 and the outer later 84 and secured therebetween by creating a sewn pocket or any of the aforementioned securing methods. Referring again to FIG. 5, the support structure 80 transfers the forces associated with gripping the boom 40 to an individual's forearm, by tensioning the grip support 70 and thereby transferring the forces to the wrist strap 52. The support structure 80 may also be covered with padding or reinforcement material, without varying from the scope of the invention, to further comfort the wearer and increase the durability of the palm harness 50. The grip support 70 may include a sizing device, such as, a turning loop and a securing device similar to that of the wrist strap 52, without varying from the scope of the invention.

[0023] The second end 74 of the grip support 70 further includes a finger securer 82 for controlling movement of the grip support 70 and providing easy disengagement of the palm harness 50 from the boom 40. The finger securer 82 comprises a first strap 86 and a second strap 88. The finger securer 82 may also comprise a single strap without varying from the scope of the invention. The first strap 86 includes first and second ends 90, 92 interconnected and spaced apart by first and second sides 94, 96. The first strap 86 is secured to the first side 76 of the grip support 70 at generally the second end 92. Likewise, the second strap 88 includes first and second ends 98, 100 interconnected and spaced apart by first and second sides 102, 104. The second strap 88 is secured to the second side 78 of the grip support 70 generally opposite the first strap 86.

[0024] The finger securer 82 includes a closure device 84, such as hook and loop material or another suitable closure device located on both the first and second straps 86, 88. The finger securer 82 removably secures an individual's finger(s) to the grip support 70 and is positioned along or adjacent the apex of the curve of the support structure 80 for providing the individual 12 with the ability to extend the secured finger(s) while maintaining tension on the boom 40 through the wrist strap 52 and resting the individual's hand. Additionally, the curve of the support structure 80 is of such design that the individual 12 may easily move, shift, or remove the grip support 70 from the boom 40 by simply lifting the fingers and hand away from the boom 40.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the second end 74 of the grip support 70 also includes the opposing closure device 106, such as the loop portion of the hook and loop material, to the closure device 68 located on the securing tab 66. The closure device 106 and the closure device 68 interact with each other for providing a means of securing the grip support 76 to the wrist strap 52 when the individual no longer desires to use the grip support 70, and thereby, the grip support 70 will not interfere with other actions of the individual 12.

[0026] In operation, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the palm harness 50 is placed in the palm of the individual's hand such that the curve of the support structure 80 is resting along the individual's finger(s) that the individual 12 desires to be supported. Referring now to FIG. 5, the individual threads the first end 54 of the wrist strap 52 through the turning loop 62. The first end 54 of the wrist strap 52 is then folded back upon itself and pulled until the desired tension is achieve on the individual's wrist. The wrist strap 52 may then be secured by utilizing the closure device 64 to maintain the tension selected.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, the individual may then position the first strap 86 of the finger securer 82 on the desired finger(s) to be secured. The second strap 88 is positioned over the first strap 86 and is then secured by way of the closure device 84. The wearer may repeat the aforementioned steps on the opposite hand if more than one palm harness 50 is desired to be used.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the individual may mount the windsurfer 10 placing the grip support 70, and, more particularly, the support structure 80 over the boom 40 for engagement thereof. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the curve of the support structure 80 captures the boom 40 so as to put the grip support 70 into tension, and thereby transferring the forces to the wrist strap 52 and reducing the stresses on the individual's hand and forearm.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, the palm harness 50 may easily be removed from the boom 40 when it is desired or necessary to dismount the windsurfer 10. This is achieved by the curvature associated with the support structure 80 and the finger securer 82. The individual, having finger(s) secured by the finger securer 82, may bend upwards at the wrist or extend the finger(s), thereby creating an upward motion on the curvature of the support structure 80. The upward motion creates a camming effect between the support structure 80 and the boom 40, thereby, causing the palm harness 50 to disengage the boom 40.

[0030] While the support structure 80 is still attached to the boom 40, as in FIG. 6, the individual 12 may relax the finger(s) held in place by the finger securer 82. The individual 12, therefore, may remain sailing the windsurfer 10 while resting the hand. As shown in FIG. 7, the finger(s) may be extended while within the finger securer 82 for use in controlling the sail 20, swimming, or other maneuvers that require the use of the finger(s).

[0031] Additionally, referring to FIG. 4, when the individual no longer desires to utilize the grip support 70, the individual 12 may remove the finger(s) held in place by the finger securer 82. The grip support 70 may then be folded down and secured to the securing tab 66 by interconnecting the closure device 68 of the securing tab 66 to the closure device 106 of the second end 74 of the grip support 70. Once secured in this fashion, the individual's hands may be utilized for grasping items unimpeded by the palm harness 50.

[0032] It should be noted that the palm harness 50, as described above, could be adapted to function as a glove without varying from the scope of the invention.

[0033] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[0034] Many modification and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A palm harness for use in windsurfing comprising: a wrist strap extending between first and second ends interconnected and spaced apart by first and second sides; a grip support having a first end secured to said wrist strap, and a second distal end; said grip support including a preformed, generally rigid and curved support structure extending at least partially between said first and second ends for removably engaging a generally cylindrical object and a finger securer positioned between said first and second ends for controlling movement of said grip support and providing easy disengagement of said harness from the object.
 2. A palm harness as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wrist strap includes a securing device for adjustably securing said first and second ends of said wrist strap together.
 3. A palm harness as set forth in claim 2 wherein said wrist strap includes a turning loop for receiving said first end of said strap therethrough and turning said wrist strap back upon itself to provide adjustability and tension to said wrist strap.
 4. A palm harness as set forth in claim 3 wherein said finger securer includes a first strap and a second strap, each strap including a mating portion of a securing device for adjustably securing said grip support to at least one finger.
 5. A palm harness as set forth in claim 4 wherein said finger securer is positioned adjacent the apex of the curved portion of said support structure for controlling movement thereof and providing easy removal of said palm harness from the equipment and providing for the extension of at least one finger.
 6. A palm harness as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second distal end of said grip support includes a cooperating portion for removably attaching said second distal end to said wrist strap.
 7. A palm harness as set forth in claim 6 wherein said wrist strap includes a securing tab having a cooperating portion for engaging with said cooperating portion of said grip support and attaching said second distal end to said wrist strap.
 8. A palm harness as set forth in claim 7 wherein said grip support includes an inner layer and an outer layer secured together to form a pocket therebetween.
 9. A palm harness as set forth in claim 8 wherein said support structure is defined by a J-shaped insert positioned in said pocket and fixedly secured between said inner and outer layers. 